Role Description

The Principal Solicitor plays a key leadership role in supervising and managing the staff and operations of QAI’s Human Rights Advocacy Practice (HRAP). Under the National Association of Community Legal Centres’ (NACLC) Risk Management Guide, the Principal Solicitor has responsibility for ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements, and for maintaining the standards and accountability outlined in the Guide.

The Principal Solicitor will lead the provision of expert legal advice and casework support in line with the scope of QAI’s legal services, encompassing critical areas impacting vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals, including Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld), Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 (Qld), Mental Health Act 2016 (Qld), Forensic Disability Act 2011 (Qld), Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth).

The Principal Solicitor plays a critical role in identifying and pursuing strategic litigation opportunities that advance the rights of people with disability and those affected by discrimination or injustice. Through both direct legal service delivery and broader advocacy efforts, the Principal Solicitor will work to achieve systemic change in line with QAI’s purpose to promote and protect human rights in Queensland.

The position could be either part time or full time. The role falls under the Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHDS Award) and will be paid at Level 8.

Remuneration: $64 – $66.54 per hour

Key Responsibilities

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Responsibly manage HRAP in line with the NACLC Risk Management Guide and the Australian Solicitor Conduct Rules, ensuring compliance and accountability across the team.
• Supervise and conduct performance appraisals for individual advocates, fostering professional growth and skill development.
• Provide expert oversight and advice on legal issues arising from case files, database entries, limitation dates, and client information management.
• Collaborate with the CEO and other managers to provide strategic direction and planning for the practice, seeking new opportunities and maintaining service excellence.
• Strive to meet funding obligations while identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities to support the practice.
• Provide and manage tailored legal information, referrals, advice, and discrete task assistance to clients and other services through various communication channels.
• Represent and manage clients before the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT), Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC), Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and other courts and tribunals as required.
• Promote best practices in service delivery by developing resources, leading team discussions, and collaborating with external stakeholders.
• Conduct strategic test cases from a human rights perspective to drive systemic reform in laws and services impacting people with disabilities.
• Identify and address issues requiring systemic reform or law reform in relation to the rights of people with disabilities.
• Prepare submissions, brochures, discussion papers, reports, self-help kits, newsletters and community legal education initiatives relevant to the position’s expertise and responsibilities.
• Prepare and present reports on service activities, administration, staffing, budgeting, strategic plan implementation, and other key matters.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure the Human Rights Advocacy Practice meets service delivery targets and continues to deliver high-quality outcomes.

General

• Comply with the code of conduct and ethics and confidentiality requirements of QAI and with the National Disability Service Standards.
• Demonstrate commitment to QAI’s values and beliefs and the principles and elements of social advocacy.
• Undertake duties and required training for the program in keeping with QAI’s procedures, guidelines and statutory requirements.
• Keep informed of current government and community attitudes and policies and their effects on the lives of people with disability.
• Participate in staff meetings, planning workshops and other meetings in connection with the operation of HRAP and QAI.
• Carry out any additional duties within the scope of the position as directed by the CEO.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• experienced, unrestricted lawyer with at least five years’ experience in legal practice in Queensland, or extensive management experience
• experience in a supervisory role in legal practice and the ability to manage effectively
• strong commitment to human rights, social justice and diversity
• demonstrated ability to establish and develop projects
• excellent interpersonal & verbal communication skills including the ability to communicate sensitively with staff, clients and other people from diverse backgrounds

Desirable

• previous experience at a Community Legal Centre, Legal Aid or Aboriginal Torres strait Islander Legal Service would be advantageous

Values, Skills, Knowledge

• highly developed legal casework, advocacy and negotiation skills
• excellent written and oral communication skills to a wide variety of audiences, including to people with mental illness, intellectual disability and cognitive impairment
• highly developed organisational skills to identify priorities, manage workload, and maintain records within a resource-poor community-based service
• good knowledge of the welfare and/or disability sector/s with understanding of the vulnerabilities experienced by people with disability

Relationships

• ability to work independently or collaboratively as part of a team to achieve positive outcomes
• ability to collaborate with external stakeholders and build long lasting partnerships
• ability to work non-confrontationally, yet reason and argue assertively on important issues on behalf of people with disability
• ability to exercise initiative and judgment within the sphere of work to plan, coordinate, implement and evaluate work in a strategic way
• driven by integrity, responsibility, accountability, attention to detail and pride in work

About us

We are an independent organisation that advocates for the protection and advancement of the needs, rights and lives of people with disability in Queensland. We are a registered Charity and community legal centre that works to uphold the principles of fundamental human rights, social justice and inclusion in community life. We provide advocacy to individuals through our three advocacy practices, and this work informs our systemic advocacy that engages in campaigns and submissions directed at changing attitudes, law and policy.

Why work for QAI

We are an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion within our workplace and were the first organisation to opt in to being bound by the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld). We encourage people with disability and First Nations people to apply as the position would benefit from a person with lived experiences. Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustments if required to assist with the application and recruitment process.

We pride ourselves on fostering a friendly and supportive workplace culture, as we take the well-being of our staff seriously. Our well-being program includes access to our Employee Assistance Program and staff activities such as walks by the river, yoga or potluck lunches, creating opportunities to connect with each other and take a break from our screens. We work in an accessible office with a focus on providing good ergonomics, including electric sit/stand desks and individual Occupational Therapy assessments.

We also offer salary sacrificing options, a flexible work environment, professional supervision, paid parental leave and portable long service leave, which is now standard across the sector.

A position description is linked below.

QAI is willing to customise the role to facilitate candidates with disability. 

Position description – Word (372 KB)

Position description – PDF (170 KB)

To apply

To be considered for this role, you must submit the documents listed below:

1. Your resume

2. A cover letter addressing the Essential Selection Criteria

Applications can be sent to [email protected].

Please address any questions to 07 3844 4200 or email [email protected] using the subject line: Principal Solicitor enquiry.

Applications for this position close 5pm Wednesday 23 October 2024.